Before I met my friend Abigail and her beautiful daughter, Tabitha, I’d never heard of Twin to Twin Tranfusion Syndrome (TTTS). She first shared a small portion of her girls’ story with me on a park bench over crackers and juice boxes at a splash pad play date. Watching her healthy baby girl dance through the fountains, it was difficult to wrap my mind around the harrowing journey of pain, fear, loss and grief they endured as a family – or the fact that Tabitha’s life had ever been threatened by the rare and dangerous condition.

December 7 is World TTTS Awareness Day.

Today, Abigail has kindly agreed to join me for my first-ever video interview on Courtney at Home. She’s sharing bits and pieces of her own TTTS story, and we’re talking about her heartrending new book, “The Day Between: A Memoir of Miracles.”

Side Note: In my interview with Abigail, she talks about shying away from putting ourselves out there when we think what we have to offer isn’t quite perfect.

Seeing myself on video, hearing my own voice and nitpicking every little flaw has kept me from stepping out of my comfort zone to work on projects like this. Putting this together was a both a learning experience and a leap of faith for me, and I am so grateful Abigail trusted me with her story. Thank you for the courage and inspiration, friend!

2 comments on “Coffee with Courtney: Honoring World TTTS Awareness Day with Abigail Wilson”

I just finished watching your interview with Abigail, and I loved it. In several, but very different ways I can relate. I loved the information that was shared about TTTS. When I read it, in my mind I took a guess as to what it was, and I was totally wrong. So this morning I learned something new about what could happen to twins while carrying. Towards the middle or end of the middle when you asked her what her advise would be, during the conversation, I got really, really emotional. I have never experienced a lost of a child, (except for a pet), but like Abigail mentioned, lost doesn’t look the same, everyone’s story is different. I balled like a baby. For each month we don’t conceive is like a lost for me. I know our time is coming close for a second child, and that the man upstairs is waiting for the right time and miracle to happen. I have always dreamt of twins, and they don’t run on my side of the family. So may this is what he is working on. I am not always patient when it comes to something I want so bad. Anyways, watching this and learning that it’s okay to let others in, to help, to lean on is not a weakness but a show of strength. It also motivated me to be a better person for others out there, to try better to be a friend, mom, and spouse. In the end of all this though, I worry about the people I do share and lean on, whether they get tired of hearing the pain month after month, and if I stop sharing is it them pulling away or me pushing away?

For Abigail: Through the trying times, and the loss did you ever feel like people may get tired of seeing and hearing you being upset? Or do you think this is something that just comes from deep inside because of not used to needing the shoulder but always being the shoulder? I am sorry for your loss, but grateful to learn and heard about your story.

Hi, Nikita! I want you to know your feelings of loss are completely valid, and I’m so deeply sorry you are going through this. I’ve watched your journey for many years, and I have seen how much you have suffered. It is hard to know the right thing to say to or do for someone dealing with loss… especially when you care so much about that person. You’re afraid to say the wrong thing, but you never know what that is. You don’t want to hurt them, but you don’t want to pretend it isn’t happening either. You want them to know they are loved and that you are there for them no matter what. If you ever want to talk, I’m here, and I promise I will listen without judgement or trying to “help.” God loves you so much, Nikita, and he is there with you through all of this. Cling to his promises in the Bible.

Welcome!

Hi! I’m Courtney. Wife of a soldier and mom of two boys.

Whether you’re brand new to military life, you have a decade or more of experience under your belt, or, like me, you’re somewhere in between: I believe the unwavering love we have for our service members and children has drawn us together for a reason.

You and me? We know home is not a place. It’s the family we’re working to build from the ground up on a foundation of faith.

We’re home, even when our household goods are driving away on the back of a moving truck; we’re home among the overstuffed suitcases and bleached hotel linens; we’re home in unfamiliar cities and foreign countries.

Let’s encourage one another as we learn how to make the most of life as wandering milspouses and mamas, exploring the world along the way.

Search for:

JOSHUA 1:9, NIV

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”